Young also records under the names Sky Sailing, Port Blue, Color Therapy, Insect Airport, Seagull Orchestra and his own name, Adam Young.
Young started out making music in 2007 in his basement in his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, United States, later developing a following through his MySpace profile before being signed to Universal Republic. Young has released seven albums under the Owl City moniker: "Maybe I'm Dreaming" (2008), "Ocean Eyes" (2009), "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (2011), "The Midsummer Station" (2012), "Mobile Orchestra" (2015), "Cinematic" (2018), and "Coco Moon" (2023). Young's 2009 single "Fireflies" reached #1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and The Netherlands. His second major hit, 2012's "Good Time" featuring Carly Rae Jepsen reached #8 in the US and #1 in New Zealand.
He was also once a member of Windsor Airlift and Swimming with Dolphins, both of which he is no longer involved with.
Back Home
Owl City Lyrics
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Hello to the sweet pines
Gonna see you later street lights
I'm headed back to tree lines
To free time and starry nights
To bonfires and fire flies
Pack your bags it's time to go
'Cause we got brighter lights back home
I've got aching feet
From walking over miles of concrete
And I can't wait to dream
But the city, you know she won't go to sleep
So I'm saying
Goodbye to the skyline
Hello to the sweet pines
Gonna see you later street lights
I'm headed back to tree lines
To free time and starry nights
To bonfires and fire flies
Pack your bags it's time to go
'Cause we got brighter lights back home
Yeah, we got brighter lights
Back home there's a girl named Mary Lou
A diner off the highway with a corner booth
And every gravel road is a trip down memory lane
And back home, where the corn grows ten feet tall
Every year's measured on the pantry wall
The willow trees are waving 'til we come back home again
I'm saying goodbye to the skyline
Hello to the sweet pines
Gonna see you later street lights
I'm headed back to tree lines
To free time and starry nights
To bonfires and fire flies
Pack your bags it's time to go
Pack your bags it's time to go
I'm saying goodbye to the skyline
Hello to the sweet pines
Gonna see you later street lights
I'm headed back to tree lines
To free time and starry nights
To bonfires and fire flies
Pack your bags it's time to go
Pack your bags it's time to go
'Cause we got brighter lights back home
The lyrics to Owl City feat. Jake Owen's "Back Home" describe the excitement and nostalgia of returning to one's hometown after spending time in the city. The artist bids farewell to the city skyline and the bright lights of urban life, and looks forward to being surrounded by the natural beauty of the trees, starry nights, and bonfires in his hometown. He also references specific locations and people, such as the girl named Mary Lou and the diner off the highway with a corner booth, that evoke memories of his past.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of longing for simplicity and a return to one's roots. The city, with its bustling energy and never-ending chaos, is contrasted with the peaceful serenity of the artist's hometown. The chorus emphasizes this contrast, declaring that "we got brighter lights back home," implying that the natural beauty and familiarity of one's hometown provide a richness and joy that cannot be found in the bright lights of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm saying goodbye to the skyline
I am bidding farewell to the cityscape.
Hello to the sweet pines
Greetings to the fresh pine trees.
Gonna see you later street lights
I will visit the street lights later.
I'm headed back to tree lines
I am heading back to the forests.
To free time and starry nights
To leisure time and nights filled with shining stars.
To bonfires and fire flies
To gatherings around a fire and groups of glowing insects.
Pack your bags it's time to go
It is time to gather your belongings and leave.
'Cause we got brighter lights back home
Because the lights at our hometown are brighter.
I've got aching feet
My feet are sore.
From walking over miles of concrete
Because I walked on concrete for miles.
And I can't wait to dream
And I can't wait to sleep and dream.
But the city, you know she won't go to sleep
But the city stays awake all night.
Back home there's a girl named Mary Lou
There's a girl named Mary Lou at our hometown.
A diner off the highway with a corner booth
There's a diner at the side of the road with a corner booth.
And every gravel road is a trip down memory lane
Driving on every gravel road is a walk down memory lane.
And back home, where the corn grows ten feet tall
And at our hometown, the corn grows up to ten feet tall.
Every year's measured on the pantry wall
Every year is recorded on the pantry wall.
The willow trees are waving 'til we come back home again
The willow trees sway until we come home again.
Pack your bags it's time to go
It is time to pack your belongings and leave.
Pack your bags it's time to go
It is time to pack your belongings and leave.
'Cause we got brighter lights back home
Because the lights at our hometown are brighter.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM R. YOUNG, EMILY MEREDITH WRIGHT, MATTHEW ARNOLD THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind